Tips to Maximize Your Energy Budget This Winter

The winter season brings this expectation of high expenditures. You’re spending for gifts and vacations with your family.

At the same time, you should expect higher heating expenditures.

When looking at the previous year’s winter season, the highest spent on energy costs is in Connecticut at $380. Compare this to nine other states that deal with cold weather such as Alaska, Rhode Island, and Maine.

With this in mind, maximizing your energy budget without spending too much is key to going through the winter. Here are some tips for you to check out and try to help lower the expenses:

1. Check for Proper Insulation

One sure way to bank on energy efficiency is all in proper insulation. Making sure that heat doesn’t escape your home is a concern that you should keep in mind. Make sure that the doors and windows have a proper means to trap the heat and prevent cold air from rushing in.

Also check on power outlets and vents, as these are likely areas for winter drafts to also seep in.

Properly positioning decor and furniture is another way to add on to the effort of insulation. Have your chairs and couches away from the windows.

You can also use household items for insulating the exterior walls. Use tall bookcases filled with books and magazines to help trap the heat.

2. Clear the Ducts and Vents

Speaking of positioning furniture, make sure that you don’t place them in areas where you block the vents or ducts in your home. Keep the couch, bed, or chair away from a heating vent.

Furniture can absorb some of the heat while slowing its flow to the room. The worst case would be that it ends up blocking the heat entirely. This can deal a huge blow on your power bill.

To ensure that you are energy efficient, keep these vents open and clear. Not even a rug should be there. Rugs can also absorb heat if it is over the heat vents.

Be vigilant with air ducts too. Don’t put any bookcases or paintings in a position that blocks them.

3. Avoid Using Exhaust Fans

One thing that you don’t want is for heat to escape your home during the winter. Be careful with places with exhaust fans, like the bathroom and the kitchen. These areas tend to get overlooked as sources of heat loss.

To prevent heat loss, use your exhaust fans sparingly. Turn them off when not in use.

This way, you can still lock the heat in place. This helps you maximize the heat in the home and lessening on the strain on your energy budget.

4. High-Quality Propane Heating

While there are myths surrounding the use of propane, a great number of American households use it to keep warm during the winter. In fact, 48 million homes turn to propane to boil water, dry their clothes, prepare meals, and warm their homes.

Using propane to power your furnace and water heater is testament enough of its versatility outside of cooking, grilling, and outdoor applications. With high-quality propane, you have an affordable energy source. What you will need to take note are the equipment, maintenance costs, and the fuel costs.

This should allow you to ease up on the burdens on your power bill when it comes to your energy budget.

5. Go for a Smarter Thermostat

Since you are spending during the holiday season. A programmable thermostat should be part of your list. With a smarter thermostat, you can cut costs up to 12%.

You might have to conduct manual input of temperature patterns for the first few days. Afterwards, a smart thermostat can make automatic adjustments for you. Not only does it become effortless, but it also saves you energy.

Under this same virtue, newer kitchen appliances use less energy compared to older ones. While you are in the business of upgrading your kitchen appliances, a new smart thermostat should be a worthy investment.

6. Use LEDs Instead

Older bulbs tend to run at a higher wattage compared to the new ones on the market. They often have a range of 25-100 watts, consuming more power.

When you compare this to an LED, the range they hold is between 2-12 watts, providing the same amount of brightness and light but using up 75% lesser energy than a traditional bulb.

If you are looking for an energy efficient choice for your lighting, LEDs are the clearest alternative. This does not only apply to your house lights. Look for LED Christmas Lights as well to ease the strain on your power bill.

7. When Possible, Let the Sunlight In

When the sun shines during this winter season, make the most of it. As much as possible, take the opportunity to have the sunlight in your home through your windows. This way, you can feel its warmth while enjoying the snowy landscape outside.

This way, you can save money on your heating bill through this natural furnace. Once it gets stormy and the sun is gone, that is when you keep the blinds drawn and the curtains shut. Now you can keep the heat from escaping.

8. Winter Clothing While Indoors

Another handy addition to these energy saving tips is to try wearing winter clothing inside your home. You can mix being stylish with staying warm in this cold season. Rock those ear muffs, mittens, scarves, and bonnets.

Yes, it can seem weird to wear heavy clothing in the house. That said, you won’t have to rely on some of the appliances in your home to stay warm. This can help cut the bill down a bit.

Stay Warm within your Energy Budget Today!

With these tips, you can find ways to ensure that you make the most out of your energy budget during the winter. You can keep the power bill in check while staying warm during these frigid days.

While you are at it, consider the use of propane heating for your home. It is affordable and efficient, especially with high-quality propane.

When it comes to your propane delivery needs, our team will be happy to assist you. Contact us and we’ll get you started.

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Kauffman Gas has delivered propane to Chester County, Lancaster County, Delaware County, and Northern Delaware for more than 75 years for their gas water heaters and propane gas needs. Our highly trained and qualified service technicians and drivers are always ready to help you.